Pirate dhow burns after Dutch warship comes under fire

Royal Netherlands Navy Photograph OCTOBER 25, 2012 — A dhow being used as a Somali pirate mother ship ended up in flames in an incident that saw the Royal Netherlands Navy LPD Hr. Ms. Rotterdam come under fire from a fishing vessel and from the shore as well as from the dhow.

The fire was answered in self defense. In addition to the Rotterdam, NATO assets involved in the response included an unmanned aircraft and three RHIBs.

One RHIB was slightly damaged by a bullet as naval personnel continued to come under fire from the shore even as they attempted to rescue pirates who had jumped into the water from the burning dhow.

One pirate drowned in the incident and eight were treated aboard the Rotterdam for injuries. No naval personnel were hurt.